S. Khin
October 26, 2025
I ended up booking this hotel twice — once when I first landed in Almaty, and again on my last night before flying out. By sheer coincidence (or fate), I got the same room both times — Room 4, Level 2. Let’s just say it made for an interesting little case study in hotel consistency.
Location & Check-in
The hotel sits at the upper end of the city, which every driver reminded me means one thing: traffic. Peak hours are not for the faint-hearted. That said, it’s in a great spot — plenty of restaurants and cafés within walking distance if you don’t feel like dining at the hotel lounge. Check-in was quick and painless both times, which is exactly what you want after a flight.
First Stay: A Promising Start
The room was spacious and clean — always a good first impression. The bathroom was equally generous in size, and I have to say, the water pressure was chef’s kiss. However, someone clearly had a sense of humor when placing the towel hooks. Let’s just say retrieving your towel without soaking the floor required both flexibility and strategy.
The bathtub, while sparkling clean, was a bit slippery — not ideal if you’re older or have the balance of a baby giraffe (I’m neither, but I notice these things).
As for the TV, I didn’t even bother. Every time I stay somewhere new, there’s always a “connect to network, sign in, press this obscure button” saga. Sorry, I’m on holiday, not conducting a tech experiment.
The aircon, on the other hand, was a bit of a mystery. I spent a good five minutes waving the remote like a magic wand before realizing the elegant “picture frame” on the wall was the air conditioner. Once identified, it worked beautifully.
Breakfast was à la carte, mostly Western-style, and a nice start to the morning before heading out.
Second Stay: The Blanket Chronicles
Fast forward to my last night in Almaty. Same room, same setup — but this time, the blanket seemed… smaller? Either it shrunk, or the hotel decided I looked short enough not to need a full-sized comforter. I could only stay covered if I curled up like a prawn.
Then the aircon decided to add some drama. It kept turning off every 20 seconds. I swapped batteries, called the front desk, and even briefly wondered if I had a ghostly roommate. Nothing worked. Eventually, I gave up and accepted my warm fate.
Final Thoughts
Would I stay here again? Probably yes. The room was comfortable, the service friendly, and when everything worked, it was genuinely a pleasant stay. Sure, there were some quirks — but that’s what gives travel its stories, isn’t it?